Grain-drill



(No Model.) .2 sheetssheet 1. J. SMITH.

GRAIN DRILL. No. 279,033. Patented June 5,1883.

INVENTEIP.

N F'ETERS. Phato-lulheguphfl Wanhingion. b. c.

(N0 Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

3. SMITH.

GRAIN DRILL.

No. 279,033. Patented June 5,1883.

III

N. PETERS. Phnwmbo npher. Wnh'mglcn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ASSIGNOR OFQONE-HALF TO \VISOONSIN.

DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,033, dated June 5,1883,

Application filed June 19, 1882. (No model.) i A To all whom it mayconcern Be it known that I, JOHN SMITH, of Ontonagon, in the county ofOntonagon and State of Michigan, have invented certain Improvements inGrain-Drills, of which the following is a specification- My inventionrelates to grain-drills or seeding-machines; and it consists in a novelcon-. struction of the frame and drag-bars, in which metal tubing ischiefly used; in a frictionclutch adapted to connect or disconnect theseed wheels with or from the driving-wheel; in a novel construction ofthe seed-distributers, and

other features and'details hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view ofmyimproved machine; Fig. 2, an end or side view; Fig. 3, a verticalcross-section of the friction-clutch; Fig. 4, a vertical longitudinalsection through the same; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the wedge usedin the clutch; Fig. 6, a rear face view of one of the seed-distributers;Fig. 7, a longitudinal vertical section through the same; Figs. 8 and 9,end views of the seed-distributer taken from opposite ends. Fig. 10 is aperspective view ofthe same; igs. 11 and 12, views illustrating themanner ofclamping the shovel or tooth standard on the drag-bars.

The object of this invention is to simplify the construction, decreasethe weight, and add to the strength of grain-drills; and to this end itconsists in constructing the machine s sh own in the drawings, in whichI A represents a seed-hopper, of ordinary form and construction, mountedupon a frame composed of two tubular rods, B and 0, connected and heldin place by end plates or arms, D, the whole being carried by wheels Eand F, as shown in Fig. 1. The rods B and C are preferably formed ofheavy gas-pipe, and the'arm-plates or end pieces, D, are preferablyfurnished with threaded holes, into which the pipes, similarly threaded,may be screwed. One or both of the pipes,when thus arranged,'should havea right and a left hand thread on its opposite ends, and it is preferredto thus provide both of said pipes. Jain-nuts a and b are screwed firmlyagainst the inner and outer faces of theend plates or arms to preventloosening or move ment ofthe parts. The bar or pipe 0 forms the mainmember of the frame of the machine, and

is consequently made of large diameter, so that with the end plates orarms, D, a very stiff and strong frame is produced, though, by reason ofthe tubular form of the bars B O, the frame 5 is quite light. The frameis carried, as above stated, by wheels E F, both fast upon inde pendentshort axles c, which pass through sleeves or boxes (7, formed upon therear ends of the end plates or arms, D, as shown in Figs. 6c 1 and 2,and in which the axles turn freely. The wheel E is retained in place bya nut and washer applied to the inner end of its axle, as shownin Fig.1; but the wheel F, in order to accommodate a friction-clutch, aspresently explained, has the inner end of its axle c extend inwardbeyond the end of the sleeve or box (I, grooved circumferentially, asshown at c, and held in place by a screw or stud, f, extending into thegroove from asurrounding case or cap, G, which latter is also retainedinplace thereby. As it is necessary, however, for the axle and the cap orcase G to be capable of rotating together, or of one remainingstationary while the other revolves, I prefer to groove the axle at apoint within the box or sleeve (1, and. to pass a key or screw-plugthrough the sleeve and into the groove, thereby relieving the stud f ofall strain or friction occasioned by end -play of the axle.

H represents the seed-distributor shaft, of square or polygonal formthroughout most of its length, but rounded at suitable points to passthrough androtatein hangers or arms I, which may be attached to theunder side of the 8 5 hopper, or formed upon or secured to the endplates or arms, D, as found most convenient. The shaft passes through aseries of seed-distributing wheels, J, each mounted in a seed cup, K,arranged cated in Figs. 1 and 2. given to the shaft H from thedriving-wheel. F, the end of the shaft being squared and passed througha squarehole, g, in the end of the cap or case G, which is furnishedwith a 95 friction-clutch, L, as shown in Fig. 1, by which it can bemade fast upon or disconnected from the axle c at will by merelyshifting its operatinglever M. By referring to- Figs.

Rotary motion is 3 and 4. the construction of this clutch and its I00 7beneath thehopper, as indio 'seen in Fig. 7, with 0 eratingmechanismwill be readily seen. e axle 0 projects beyond the inner end of thesleeve or box (I, and is surrounded by the cap or case G, which isretained in place by the stud or screw f, extending into groove 0, asabove mentioned. The cap or case is furnishedwith an internalflexibleband, N, which may be of any suitable material, though steel ispreferred, and this band is connected at its ends by links 2 to blocks71, which are seated in an annulaiurecess, j, formed in an enlargement,k, of the cap, as shown in Fig. 3 One of the blocks h bears or restsagainst the end of a set-screw, I, which. can be adjusted at any time tocompensate for elongation or wear of the friction-band, and the otherblock b rests against the side of a wedge-block, m, arranged to slidetransversely across the enlargement 7.1, through recess j, and to bearat one side against the end wall of the reeessj, and at the other sideagainst the end of block 11. The block being of wedging or taperingform, as shown in Fig. 5, causes the block h to move in the recess jtoward its companion block, and thereby to tighten the band N upon theaxle c. The wedge-b1ock m passes through the recess or opening j in theenlargement k of cap G, and as the band is tightened uponthe axle thecap is of course made fast thereto, and caused to rotate therewith, thusgiving motion to the seed-distributer shaft H; but when the band isloosened the axle is free to rotate without the cap G, and theseed-distributer shaft consequently remains at rest.

For the purpose of operating the clutch, I provide a hand-lever, M,which, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is pivoted atone end to a block,0, secured upon the bar or pipe C, and is formed with an annularenlargement, 1), within which is mounted or journaled a ring, (1, thejournals r of which are arranged at the upper and lower sides of thering and vertically in line with the center, so that as the lever isshifted laterally the ring (1 may remain. constantly perpendicular or atright angles to the cap G and axle c. The ring (1 is grooved on itsinner face, as shown at r, to receive the upright lip or tail ofwedge-block m, which travels in said groove when the shaft H rotates. Bythis arrangement the parts of the clutch are always in positionforinstant operation, and there is no delayin waiting for parts toassume a certain relative position, as is the case with mostratchetclutches.

The seed-distributers are more clearly illus trated in Figs. 6, 7, S,and 9, and will be seen to consist each of a winged cylinder, J, passingcentrally through a circular plate, P, in the same manner essentially asin the wellknown rosette-feeders now in common use. The plate P isformed with a peripheral rib or tlange, s, which is seated in a grooveor channel, t, formed in the bracket or plate Q, which supports andcarries the plate, and is secured to the under side of the hopper A. Thefeedwheel or distributer J is formed, as more clearly blades or wingsll-Oll about diameter with the part n on the one-half its length, whilethe remaining portion is left perfectly smooth and plain, and ofcylindrical form, and is surroundedby a sleeve, 11, of the seed-cup K,within which sleeve it freely rotates. The rear end of cylinder J isflanged to prevent its moving longitudinally within the sleeve 11, andthe seed-cup K,wh-ich is formed in one piece with or rigidly connectedto the sleeve, is made with an enlarged cylin; drical portion, 10, whichencircles the bracket or plate Q, except at the upper side, where thecup is cut away to pass the reduced portion 1' of said bracket or plateand the seed-spout y. The cup is made of sufficient length at the upperside to permit it to move back and forth a distance equal to the lengthof the wings a, or nearly so, in order that the distributer maybe movedthrough plate P until the inner ends of the wings a come flush with theinner face of said plate, and thereby entirely shut off vthe flow ofseed. From the top of the cup down to a point about on a line with thelowermost edge of the wings a the cup is made of imiform front side, butof gradually reducing width or, in other words, the end of this enlargedportion curves or inclines gradually space 2, as indicated by dottedlines in Figs. 6 and '7, thus directing the seed to the ends and facesof the wings a, and insuring its delivery thereby through thedischarge-opening a. As shown in Fig. 6, the opening a is formed with aninclined edge, and is also open at the end of the wings a, by whicharrangement the grain or seed is caused to flow out in a continuous andregular stream, instead of falling in bunches.

By moving the shaft H lengthwise the distributer J and the cup K aremoved, respectively, through the plate P and over the bracket Q, and thegrain or seed space within the cup and the operative face of the wingedcylinder are thereby diminished, and the quantity of seed delivered, isaccordingly lessened or by moving the shaft in the opposite directionthe feed is increased.

It is particularly to be noted that the sleeve *vcovers the plain orsmooth portion of cylinder or distributer J, and that the winged portiononly acts upon the seed. By this construction the excessive rubbing andwear. of the grain is prevented and thefeed is rendered uniform andpositive.

For the purpose of adjusting the shaft H, I provide a lever, B, which ispivoted to the hopper and moves at its upper end over a graduated are orsegment, S, while its lower end is forked and straddles and fits in agrooved block or collar, T, secured upon said shaft, as is common inthis class of machines.

Beneath the respective seed-distributcrs are arranged the drill teeth orhoes U, any desired number of each being used, but the number of onecorresponding with that of the other, as usual.

The dragbars V are formed of tubular rods, preferably heavy gas or waterpiping of proper inward toward the feedsize, and are jointed or hingedto the front bar, B, of the frame by clips I), as shown.

The drill teeth or hoes U are bolted each to a divided clamp, X, whichis clamped or made fast upon the drag-bar V by tightening the bolts Y Y,and thus producing the necessary degree of friction. The clamp X ispreferably divided on the upper side only, as represent ed,-but may bein two separate pieces. The lower bolt Y forms a pivot for thetoothstandard, which is bent or coiled about said bolt and held thereonwith any desired degree of friction produced by tightening the bolt Z.'The lower bolt Y should be made of considerable diameter, or else shouldbe encircled by a friction-block, neither of which should be allowed torotate. It will be seen that by adjusting the pressure of the bolts Ythe friction of the clamp can be regulated so as to allow the clamp toslip upon the drag-bar in case obstructions of any kind are met with.

I do not broadly claim a tubular grain-drill frame, as I am aware thatsuch have before been made; but hitherto the ends havealso been formedof pipe-a construction I do not deem desirable and do not use. My endplates are perforated or perforated and threaded, and I make no claim tothe tubular bars, except when combined with end plates such as I haveshown and described. Neither do I claim pipes having right and lefthanded threads at opposite ends, except as used with such end plates.

I am further aware that cultivator-frames have had the beams connectedby means of threaded ironrods, and that nuts have been applied to saidrods on opposite sides of the beams. I make no claim to suchconstruction.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1-. In aseeding-machine, a wheeled frame consisting of wheels E F, tubular barsor pipes B (l, and metallic end plates, D, having openings formedthrough them to receive the bars or pipes, said parts being combinedsubstantially as shown and described.

2. In a grain-drill frame, the combination of threaded pipes 13 0, endplates, D, perforated and threaded to receive the ends of said pipes,and jam-nuts (1, applied to said pipes and arranged to bear against theend plates, substantially as described and shown.

3. The herein described frame for graindrills, consisting of pipes B 0,one or both threaded in opposite directions at opposite ends, and theend plates, D, perforated andthreaded to receive the ends of the pipes,and

provided with sleeves d to receive the wheelaxles, substantially asshown and described.

4. In combination with the frame having end plates, D, provided withsleeves cl, wheels E I, having'short independent axles rigidly formedupon or secured to their hubs, and extending through the sleeves, asshown and described.

5. The-hereindescribed clutch for grain drills and seeders, consistingof cap or case G,

friction-band N, provided with block h, and

8. The combination, as herein set forth, of

axle 0, cap G, shaft H, stud f, ring or band N, links 13, blocks h,wedge m, ring q, and lever M.

9. In combination with the axle c and wedge m, the band N, provided withblocks 71, and

the set-screw I, applied as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a seed-distributer, the combination of a stationary arm orbracket, a circular plate mounted therein, a winged cylinder arranged topass through said plate, and a seedcup con nected and arranged to movewith the cylinder relatively to the plate, substantially as set forth,whereby both the operative surface of the cylinder and the interiorspace or capacity of theseed-cup are simultaneously regulated.

11. The herein-described seed-distributor for grain-drills, consistingof fixed bracket Q, containing rosette or plate I, sliding case K, andwinged cylinder J, journaled in the case and arranged to move throughthe rosette or plate and to carry the ease with it in its movements backand forth.

. 12. In combination with the divided clamp X, provided with bolts Y Y,the tooth-standard U, encircling the lower one of said bolts and clampedthereto by bolt Z, as shown.

, JOHN SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

ALFRED MEAD, Onas. M. EVELAND.

